Paul Whitehouse: Our Troubled Rivers

Self - Presenter: [opening statement] I've spent most of my life either next to, in and sometimes under a lot of rivers in this country. It's the closest thing to paradise that we have, that's how I feel about rivers. For the last few years I've spent my time fishing and filming with my daft old mate Bob Mortimer and we've been staggered by the beauty that we have on our doorsteps. Our rivers and waterways are the lifeblood of britain. Traversing through our landscape, they provide a habitat for more wildlife than you can shake a stick at, as well as the perfect location for some leisure time. And that's before we even talk about water for drinking, washing and flushing. But that most precious resourse is under threat. Years of pollution and neglect mean our waterways are in trouble. Whether it's the actions of water companies, agriculture or us as citizens, all is not well. I'm heading around England and Wales to explore what's happening. Visiting some of the worst affected waterways. I'll meet the passionate people battling to save our rivers... and find out for myself the dirty truth about our water. I'm looking right down your pipe Southern Water and it's deeply unpleasent. There's the trail.